Junta employees accused of extorting money from Muslims in Sittwe

By Admin 19 Dec 2025

DMG Newsroom

19 December 2025, Sittwe

Junta employees from the Department of Immigration, the police and the Military Intelligence Unit in Sittwe, which is controlled by Myanmar’s military regime, are reportedly extorting money from Muslim residents under various pretexts.

Muslims are allegedly being charged K2 million to register with the Immigration Department, K15 million to apply for an identity card, and K200,000 for a recommendation letter.

“Sittwe Muslims are being charged K2 million to register at the immigration office, K15 million to apply for an ID card, and K200,000 for a letter of recommendation. They are also warned not to reveal how much they are paying,” said a Muslim man in Sittwe.

Junta employees at Sittwe Airport are also reportedly demanding large sums of money from Muslim travellers.

To obtain a plane ticket, Muslims are reportedly required to pay K10,000 for a recommendation letter from the Immigration Department, K10,000 for a police recommendation letter, K30,000 to police and soldiers at airport entry gates, K5,000 for immigration checks, and up to K20,000 to the Military Intelligence Unit.

“All junta employees are extorting money from Muslims in various ways. The Military Intelligence Unit sometimes demands more depending on personal circumstances. We cannot accept this kind of exploitation,” the Muslim man said.

As the election approaches, security measures in Sittwe have been tightened, with locals reporting increased threats and extortion by junta employees targeting Muslims.

Residents say it has become difficult to obtain plane tickets to travel outside Sittwe, while overnight guest list inspections have become more frequent.

“Those returning to Sittwe from Yangon are thoroughly checked for any links to the Arakan Army. From my experience, they are trying to suppress the Arakan Army in Sittwe. Security is tight, and they extort money whenever they get the chance,” said a woman from Sittwe.

The military regime has also blocked roads in Sittwe Township, causing hardship for residents, including Muslims and Arakanese, and leading to job losses and food shortages.

Muslim residents in Sittwe Township rely on fishing for their livelihoods, but the military regime is currently prohibiting them from going to sea.

Prices of basic goods have also surged, leaving residents trapped in the city and those displaced from Sittwe Township struggling to survive.